On Thursday, November 21, 14 dedicated Coastal Watch volunteers tackled the challenging task of clearing debris from the sand-covered Gretchen C. Valade Preserve on the far west end of Sanibel. Stretching over 2.2 acres, this tropical hardwood hammock with ephemeral pools is a critical habitat for wildlife, but remnants of Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left the area littered with debris.

Volunteers climbed over mounds of sand to access hard-to-reach spots, collecting trash scattered along the preserve and its edges near SanCap Road. The effort is part of an ongoing initiative to restore this vital conservation land so native plants and wildlife can thrive.

Kealy Pfau, Coastal Watch Director, reflected on the volunteers’ hard work: “Seeing our community come together to protect places like the Gretchen C. Valade Preserve is inspiring. These efforts lay the groundwork for future restoration, and I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish here in the months to come.”

The cleanup is only the beginning. In the coming months, Coastal Watch will return to the preserve to plant native vegetation, further enhancing the area’s ecological health and resilience.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this cleanup. Your dedication makes a difference for the future of Sanibel’s natural habitats.